Introducing the FINAL FOUR:  Sectional I winner

For the 2014 Detroit Tigers season, there was a new manager in Brad Ausmus, and he managed to clinch the AL Central title on the last day of the regular season to finish one game ahead of the Royals, with a 90–72 record and an ELO ranking of 616.  Despite the new leadership, it was familiar territory as this was their fourth consecutive division title. Their offense was led by Miguel Cabrera and Victor Martinez (who slashed .335/.409/.565, with 32 homers against just 42 strikeouts), and Ian Kinsler proved to be a useful pickup while J.D. Martinez had a breakout campaign.  However, it was their pitching staff that was truly unique–there were five former or future Cy Young award winners on the roster (Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer, Rick Porcello, David Price and Robbie Ray), and furthermore everyone in the starting rotation, including Drew Smyly who was traded for Price in mid-season, went on to play for a Series-winning team–none of them being the Tigers.  Despite all of this, the Tigers were swept by the Orioles in the ALDS and the team went into a tailspin, going a decade before revisiting the post-season and in the interim amassing some of the worst records in baseball history.  Regardless, this Tigers team proved to be one of the four survivors of the 2,056 that began this project.  Of the Final Four teams, these Tigers might have had the easiest path, facing only a couple of decently-rated squads on their way to this level.  Teams defeated to reach the Final Four: 1938 Browns (2309) 2-0; 1987 Reds (970) 5-4;  2014 Mets (1489) 4-3; 2003 Rockies (1679) 5-2; 2010 Mets (1406) 7-2; 1980 Reds (848) 10-1; 1990 Cubs (1517) 6-5; 1993 Reds (1558) 6-4; 1971 Padres (2242) 8-7.  Key performers in the nine previous games: Ian Kinsler 2 HR 11 RBI;  Miguel Cabrera 1 HR 6 RBI; Rajai Davis 6 RBI.